Lululemon is known for its beautiful yoga clothes, but they also make some very popular yoga mats. I’ve had my Reversible mat for about a year, and for the purpose of this Lululemon yoga mat review I have done some additional research, and here is what I found.
The Lululmeon Reversible yoga mat is a great mat as it offers good grip with sweaty hands, perfect for those with dynamic practices. Additionally, it has an antimicrobial top layer, helping prevent mold and mildew. Finally, the rubber base provides excellent cushioning for sensitive joints.
It’s no surprise this yoga mat was listed as one of the best yoga mats according to the New York Times.
In this review, I discuss my experiences with my Lululemon mat that I’ve had for about a year now.
The Best Things About a Lululemon Yoga Mat
Grip – Great Grip for Sweaty Practices
One of my favorite parts of the Lululemon mat is the incredible gip it offers. I’m not sure if you have ever practiced on a yoga mat without any serious grip, but it can be a real pain in the neck.
As you can imagine, having good grip is one of the most important features of a good quality yoga mat. And so I wanted to try out the grip on this yoga mat. In fact, I’ve done quite a lot of research on yoga mat grip, so I wanted to see how this mat compares.
I tested out the grip with both dry and with wet hands. For my Lululemon Reversible, these were the grip test results:
- Grip with dry hands – B
- Grip with wet hands – A
Read more about it here, or check out my YouTube video where I do my grip experiment.
With the Lululemon Reversible, you will know that once you have started to sweat you will get to experience superior grip during your practice. And this is what makes this mat great for dynamic yoga practices, such as Ashtanga yoga.
And this is why this is a great yoga mat for those who sweat a lot or those looking for a great mat for dynamic yoga practices.
Thickness – A Comfortable 5mm Thick
Lululemon mats come in a variety of thicknesses. These can range from the very thin 2mm travel mats, to the medium 3mm mats to the thicker 5mm mats. I chose the thicker version of 5mm as I prefer thick yoga mats.
This, for me, is the best thickness of yoga mat. Why? Well, it is thick enough so you don’t feel the floor beneath you, your joints are protected, your hands and feet don’t sink into the mat.
This particular mat has a rubber base. And so the 5mm Reversible version I have feels incredible to practice on, even if you’re practicing on a hard floor.
And so if you have sensitive joints or you just like practicing on a yoga mat with good cushioning, then the Lululemon Reversobe 5mm won’t disappoint.
Cleaning – Wipe It Down
There are three DIY yoga mat cleaners you can prepare to clean your Lululemon yoga mat.
- Vinegar – Get a spray bottle and then mix together 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water. And then add up to 20 drops of tea tree oil. This is actually my go-to method for cleaning the yoga mats in my yoga studio. I make up this solution once every few weeks and just refill it when needed.
- Baking soda – Get a spray bottle and then mix together 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and up to 10 drops of lemon juice.
- Dish soap – Get a small/medium-sized basin and then add in some warm water (not too warm though) and a few drops of mild dish soap.
There is nothing like practicing on a clean yoga mat. And in particular, it’s even better knowing we didn’t use any nasty chemicals when doing this cleaning process!
For more information and step-by-step instructions, check out my article: How to clean Lululemon Yoga Mat: Step-by-Step
Antimicrobial Top Layer
One very important advantage of the Lululemon Reversible yoga mat is that according to the Lululemon website it has “an antimicrobial additive helps prevent mould and mildew on the mat”.
This is very important, especially if you have a sweaty practice or if you notice your yoga mat starting to smell.
The most important thing you can do to help your yoga mat last longer is to always let it airdry after practice and after cleaning it.
Beauty – Discrete Patterns
I wouldn’t say that the Lululmeon Reversible mat is the pretties yoga mat out there. In my opinion, the prettiest yoga mats are Yoga Design Lab and Sugarmat.
And yet, what I like about the Lululemon Reversible is its discreet patterns. I went for the black and white version, however, if I were to choose again, I would go for the oh-so-cute Chalky Rose version.
The Reversible mat comes in 6 different colors so you are sure to find something you like.
Weight – Light Enough to Travel With
The Lululemon Reversible 5mm weight 2.38 kg (5.24 lbs). This means that this is a great mat for those wanting to take it to their local studio or for those wanting to travel.
In fact, I wrote an article examining the weight of yoga mats, and there you’ll see that the Reversible is is the middle range of yoga mats. Not too heavy and not too light. Just right!
Price – Its Under $100
The Lululmeon Reversible 5mm mat is a premium yoga mat. And so like any premium yoga, it does come with an increase in price. And yet, it is actually much cheaper than most premium yoga mats on the market.
For $78 you can own a good quality yoga mat.
Paying well under $100 may seem like a lot. And it is. However, think that you are buying a good quality yoga mat.
To give you a comparison, the very popular Liforme has a lifetime of about 4-5 years and costs just over $150!
The Worst Things About a Lululemon Yoga Mat
As much as I do really like my Lululemon Reversible, it still has its issues.
Not Very Long Lasting
A big hang-up with the Lululmeon Reversible mat is it isn’t the most long-lasting yoga mat.
As you can see from the image above, there are some marks on the top surface of my mat. These are generally located where y hands and feet tend to be in downward-facing dog. This means that the past of the mat that has the most use seems to be more prone to this wear and tear.
Of course on the flip side, these marks don’t seem to be affecting the performance of my Lululemon Reversible. What I mean is that the grip is still great, for the time being at least.
Smell at First
The Lululemon reversible has a rubber base. And so with any rubber yoga mat, it can smell really bad when you first buy it.
I remember practicing on it straight out of the box. And I can say that the smell was horrendous!
However, keep in mind that this smell only lasts a few days at most.
So my key tip to you is to let your new Lululemon yoga mat air dry for a few days away from direct sunlight.
Latex Allergy
For anyone with a latex allergy, it is best to steer clear of the Lululmeon Reversible.
Why? Well according to the Lululmeon website: “People with rubber or latex allergies should avoid contact with this product as it contains natural rubber, and may contain latex”.
Squeaky Sound When New
Something slightly amusing is that when you first practice on your Lululemon Reversible, you may be producing some squeaky sounds.
You’ll hear it in my review video when I jump back to plank.
This is just because of the friction with the top polyurethane surface, especially when your mat is brand new. Keep in mind that it does fade with time.
Of course its important to point out that tI would consider this to be a terrible flaw and a reason not to get this mat. However, just keep it in mind when you first get it, as you may get a few giggles from your classmates!
Conclusion
In order to conclude this Lululemon yoga mat review, let me say that this mat is not perfect, but it is still a terrific buy. If you are thinking of settling for a cheaper yoga mat you may want to reconsider.
In my opinion, the superior quality of the Lululemon reversible is well worth it.
I really love the grip and comfort that this mat can offer. A nice thick mat that doesn’t mess up my joints is much appreciated whenever I’m practicing.
My biggest complaint is that even after just a year there is visible wear and tear on the top surface. But in my opinion, as the grip of my mat isn’t affected, this is a small price to pay when juxtaposed with the plethora of great features.
Related Questions
The Lululemon Reversible might not have a premium price tag, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a prize contender. Not only does it offer great grip for your yoga practice, but it also has excellent cushioning to help protect your joints. Plus, its antimicrobial additive helps prevent mold and mildew.
A general rule of thumb is that a Lululemon yoga mat should last somewhere between three to five years. Ultimately though, this will depend on how often you practice. If you have a daily dynamic practice, then expect it to last less than if you don’t practice very often.
Thicker 5mm yoga mats can feel more comfortable to practice on when compared to the thinner 3mm yoga mats. And while this rule applies to most types of yoga mats, you should opt for a slightly thicker yoga mat (think 4mm and above) if you want to protect your joints.
Lululemon yoga mats are not toxic. They are made of a polyurethane top layer and a rubber base layer. Rubber is a natural material and is not toxic. Polyurethane is a manmade material that is not toxic, as it is even used in baby equipment. However, as plastic, it’s not environmentally friendly.
Yes, Lululemon yoga mats smell when they are brand new. The reason is that rubber mats tend to smell when you first purchase them. This is perfectly normal, and all you have to do is let your new Lululemon yoga mat airdry for a few days away from direct sunlight and this will help remove the smell.
As a general rule, Lululemon yoga mats last three to five years, depending on how often you practice and how dynamic your practice is. You could consider replacing it when the grip starts to diminish.
For more information, you may like my article, Yoga Mat Life: How Long Do They Last & What Lasts Longest?
There are three mixtures you can prepare to wash your Lululemon yoga mat. One is with water, vinegar, and tea tree oil. The second is with a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice. The third is with warm water and dish soap. Spray your mat with the solution, simply wipe it down and let it air dry.
No. I try to avoid putting a Lululemon yoga mat in the washing machine, as there is a chance the protective lining on the mat may get damaged.
For a more detailed explanation, check out my article, Yoga Mat in the Washing Machine – Yes or No?
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